The bureaucratic model is the dominant form of organization of the state apparatus in the world…
Max Weber (1864-1920) was a German economist and sociologist, who through his study of civilizations developed the modern concept of Bureaucracy, refuting, criticizing, and expanding Marx's views. Weber tried to prove that capitalism was strongly influenced by ethical and religious values and that therefore, economic relations could not explain only the relations of force in capitalism, as Marx had proposed.
Weber
He defined the bureaucracy as the most efficient form of organization, taking into account the complexity of state apparatus, government agencies and thinking about the needs of changing and dynamic societies.
Approach to the formal definition of bureaucracy:
The bureaucracy is an "ideal type of organization" delimited by a structure of legal domination that is exercised through an administrative framework applicable to large organizations of both the state and the private sector. Represents an administrative and personnel structure of an organization.
Max Weber identified the following fundamental ground rules for bureaucratic development:
- Positions constitute the main nucleus of the bureaucratic administrative cadre. There is an administrative career system. Neutral external and internal position of the bureaucrat with respect to the position (it is a profession, it is impersonal in behavior). Officials organized by command hierarchy. Remuneration on salaries. No bonuses for services Authority levels are determined by the job or function performed Appointments based on merit and quality of work Work on established procedures and standards Paper record of all activities performed and based on documents and procedures by written (forms, vouchers, certifications etc).
Among the characteristics identified in the societies to make the development of the bureaucratic model feasible are:
- Politically: The bureaucracy is the administrative framework that corresponds to the structure of legal domination. In the economic: It implies the development of the monetary economy, since money transactions rationalize economic activity, allow budgeting income and expenses in a systematic way. Administratively: It facilitates the realization of the numerous and complex activities that increase qualitatively and quantitatively in organizations. The efficiency of the bureaucracy is superior to any other form of administration.
Modern bureaucratic administration defines rationalization as the assumption and fundamental principle for the full exercise of the modern bureaucracy and assumes that efficiency is achieved through adequate rationalization processes and in the long term, social action or social acceptance is built, to unite the apparatus bureaucratic the bureaucratic model to society.
Bureaucracy vs clientelism
Probably the biggest problem faced by the bureaucratic model is the existence of favoritism and perks between the decision-making entities and the entire apparatus, that is, because some officials have functions where third parties can be favored, the cleanliness and neutrality of the officials will always be questioned.
Due to these clientelistic phenomena, the control and oversight bodies appeared as independent tools that can perform the control functions and act as judges of government entities, the operation of these entities makes the model more transparent, but in general the criticism remains because on many occasions private interests go against general interests. Producing phenomena that are detrimental to general development and favoring the development of individuals.
Democratic action and transparency are then the elements that can support the model today, since the operation of bureaucratic apparatuses in societies may depend on the decision of choice of citizens.
